Chapter Text
Mark started his day as per usual. Hitting the 'stop' on his alarm before getting up and prepping the coffee machine.
He hopped out of the shower and waddled into his walk-in closet leaving a trail of small puddles of water because he was too lazy to dry off completely, he picked out a white tank and some back ripped jeans.
Drying his hair, he walked out and threw his clothes on his bed. Then he headed back into the kitchen to fetch his coffee and something to nibble on.
He'd be meeting up with Youngji and Eunji for brunch at their favourite cafe in a bit so he didn't need to 'eat' anything big per se. Scanning his fridge he retreated with a piece of fried chicken in his mouth.
After getting ready and fixing his hair, he gave himself one last approving look before grabbing his jacket and heading out the door. He locked it and shoved his keys into his pocket before heading to the cafe.
...
He took a seat in front of the glass window and waited patiently for the girls to arrive.
After about ten minutes a tiny figure hopped into the cafe, her huge eyes scanning the cafe until they spotted red fluff. She gleamed wide.
"Appa!"
Marks head popped up from the menu with a smile when he heard the voice. Eunji came running and flopped herself onto his lap. He placed a loving kiss on her cheek making her giggle.
"How come you're alone? Where's Eomma?"
As if to answer his question, a tall elegant brunette walked through the door.
"Yah! Eunji! How many times do I have to tell you not to run off like that?" she raised her voice when she spotted Mark and Eunji.
"I'm sorry, Eomma." Eunji replied softly with her head bent down as she played with her little fingers.
"It's okay baby, I forgive you." Youngji replied in a sweeter tone, melting as she saw her daughter being all adorable and pouty. That child knew how to play her cards well.
Mark let out a small chuckle, he loved these moments. He loved the two girls with all his heart. Even after all Youngji had gone through, she was still the same girl he had met back in high school, still joyous and sweet. Honestly, he would have dated her, ever married her if he wasn't gay. she was his best friend and they knew each other through and through. They stuck together no matter what. The time mark was kicked out of home for being gay, Youngji was the one who took him in, she stood as his pillar when he needed her. The same way, when Youngji was disowned by her family after she got pregnant, Mark was the one who took it on himself to protect her and the child she would bare.
He did not regret a thing. The two girls with him now where so embedded in his life that he was sure he couldn't live without them.
The sweet voice of the waitress snapped Mark out of his thoughts
"Same as always, Markie?" she asked politely
"Yes, thank you Gen." Mark replied handing the menu over to her. Why did he even bother to look through the menu anyway? He ordered the same thing every week.
Smiling the waitress left to go get they're orders.
"So, what's got you so distracted today?" Youngji asks when she sees that Mark is still a little more out of it than his usual quiet self.
"Nothing much really, just thinking about you guys." Mark replied as he stopped Eunji from hitting the plate with her spoon, making the child pout and cross her hands over her chest.
"Ew, don't get mushy on me, Markiepoo~" Youngji cooed. She loved him so much, he was the only reason she was alive, the only reason she hadn't give up on Eunji, the only reason she had the strength to carry on. He had been the father and teacher of her child, the role that the biological father was too busy to take up. He had protected her from the harshness of the world.
At first Mark wasn't pleased at all when she told her everything, he wasn't angry with Youngji or anything, he was just pissed that some people didn't take responsibility for their damn actions. It took a while for him to cool down, but once he did, he immediately stepped into the father shoes. He was determined to whatever it takes to fill them. He took on a responsibility that wasn't his to bare. Youngji was so grateful for him, his personality, his existence, everything. He was her life support; Without him she knew she wouldn't be here and either would Eunji.
...
After they had finished eating, Eunji kept begging to go to the park because apparently 'Kookie' would be there and she promised to play with him.
Which brought them to where they are now.
Mark and Youngji sat on the swings, swaying slightly as they watched Eunji and Kookie play in the sand.
Neither of them said anything, the silence was perfect. Both of them felt a strong sense of nostalgia as they recollected memories that were created here when they were younger.
Mark smiled as he remembered that this was the place he had his first kiss, and when he told Youngji about it she climbed up the jungle bars and screamed that mark had cheated on her, it was quiet comical and they ended up laughing till Youngji fell of the bar and sprained her ankle. She had made him carry her on his back all the way till his house. Crying on his shoulder as if her leg had been torn off completely, just like the drama queen she is.
That was also the place where Youngji had nearly strangled him for not getting her strawberry cheesecake instead of caramel pudding, which to Marks defence was all out. But youngji being herself cursed the world (mainly Mark) for planning this outrageous attempt to reduce her happiness.
The park held sad memories too, he remembered running here in the rain about two years ago. Having received a message from Youngji. They both sat and cried their hearts out after Youngji told him she was pregnant. He was the first one she told and he did everything he could to comfort her.
"Mark, you're doing it again!" Youngji tapped his shoulder.
He smiled at her before she got up to go fetch Eunji.
...
Mark groaned as he rolled over to find his phone. The device had been ringing for a while now. At first, he ignored it, but it didn't seem to stop.
What could possibly be so important that someone needed to disturb his sleep at 2 in the morning.
Grabbing his phone, he answered the call not bothered to check the ID.
"Hello?" Mark said in a groggy voice